Saint Osburg was the first Abbess of a monastery founded at Coventry but King Canute at the beginning of the 11th Century. She died around 1018 and her mortal remains were enshrined in Coventry and remained the focus for a strong cult in the city during the Middle Ages. We know nothing more about the saint.

In the 1840s the future Bishop Ullathorne following his ministry in Australia, returned to England and began his ministry in Coventry. At that time there was in Coventry a small Catholic chapel, dedicated to St Lawrence and St Mary. Ullathorne set about arranging for a new church to be built on the same site. It was consecrated in 1845 by the Vicar Apostolic of the Midland District, Nicholas Wiseman. On 21 June 1846, Ullathorne was appointed Vicar Apostolic of the Western District: his ordination as bishop was celebrated at St Osburg’s church. In attendance was John Henry Newman – attending his first public event following his reception into full communion with the Catholic Church.  

St Osburg's memorial is kept on the 9th September.

Lord,
we ask the prayers of the virgin, St Osburg,
that we may resist the fleeting temptations of this life
and come to share with you the glory of eternity.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.

For full details of the Diocesan calendar, click here.
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Image (c) 2026, Allen Morris.

St Osburg. Image derived from the engraving by John Hutton for the Great West Screen at Coventry Cathedral.